It has been helpful for me in this discussion of the word "world" to point out that 1 John 5:19 has some rather profound implications.

"19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one."

The text points out that there are two distinct classes set apart. 1. "we", who are children of God and 2. "whole world", those under control of the evil one. "We" are not part of the "whole world" therefore "whole world" cannot mean everyone without distinction. "Whole world" is therefore limited to those whose controller is the "evil one".

__________________
Steve
PCA
Dallas, TX